We explore a country garden

My friend Dolly suggested we make a trip to the country to visit a garden that was in the Open Garden scheme. Off we went on a lovely autumn morning. The garden is called The Olives after the 160-year-old olive trees that were planted as a windbreak back in the 1860s.

The property is nestled among rolling hills (just visible in the distance in this next photo) a few kms from Yankallila.

The house is National Trust-listed and was completed in 1859.  The property features the original gardens that had been carved out of the farmland, with lavender, deciduous European trees, a date palm planted in the 1860s, and old, gnarled fig trees giving the house its lovely old-world feel.

On the eastern side of the house was open farmland. When first settled the property was far from a town and neighbours, so the house would have been a true sanctuary for the original owners.

A new garden created in 2007 by owners Mark and Wendy Day (and still being added to) uses the natural slope of the land and features long walks bordered by geraniums, oleanders, agapanthus and roses, a glorious pond with a fountain, a wisteria arbour, and sweeping lawns. The house is visible in the background nestled among the trees.

At the rear of the house an ornamental vine put on a dazzling display...

...and some hardy potted geraniums added colour to the walkway.

I had never seen a stag (or elk?) horn this size before.

We strolled along, admiring the garden design - many of the plants were tried and true hardy types but made a beautiful display nonetheless.

This is one of Dolly's photos.

We loved the use of the succulents surrounding a bench.

 Here, two deciduous trees in their autumnal glory are in stark contrast to the green of the gum trees.

A sturdy Iceberg rose was still blooming.

And I think this is an oleander.

Even the ancient olive trees are still fruiting and looking remarkably healthy.




















The pond has pride of place in the lawn and features a Japanese-inspired modern sculptured fountain.

It was such a pleasant and pleasing visit, though I think the garden is at its best in summer. Unfortunately for us, the vast beds of heritage roses had finished their display, the wisteria was a bare vine, and the fruit trees that were in the covered orchard (apricot, nectarines, peach and mulberry) were also having a rest. But we did enjoy the sense of history, the thought and effort that has gone into the garden's design, and the friendly owners.

An autumn sojourn

We had planned to visit the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens last week as a celebratory wedding anniversary trip. However, the weather was against us with gusty winds and pouring rain. But today heralded a blue sky and sunshine so off we went. We got a bit lost near the end and found ourselves at the upper level carpark (instead of the lower).

None of the articles or brochures we read about the gardens told us that it is built on a steep hill and cascades down numerous gullies. There were few signs, the brochure didn't help, and the stoney paths had been broken up by the recent rains. So we did the best we could, taking paths that looked as if they went somewhere as we gingerly made our way downwards.

The autumn foliage was lovely, and with the sun shining through the leaves, made for some pretty photos.

We never did make it to the lower level as the paths were severely rutted by the rains and many of them kept leading to dead ends. We decided to call it a day and head south to the K1 winery near the Kuitpo Forest. The winery was delightful and the balmy autumn weather added to its appeal. The deck looked out over a large lake where various birdlife and ducks splashed about.

 The wine was very good and the sunshine stayed with us. What more could we want?

It was such a peaceful place with only another couple enjoying the wine and views. 'You should see it on the weekends though', we were told. 'It's always extremely busy'.  (Yay for retirement and mid-week visits!)

Sorry, all gone.

A perfect end to the day.